South Carolina Prison Death Lawyer
There is not one person in this world who is without fault. We all have our problems, and we all have a past. Each of us has endured some punishment or retribution for our wrongs. However, when that punishment goes beyond what is right or prescribed (e.g., by a court), this is not justice.
Just because an individual has been sentenced to jail does not mean they lose all of their rights. If the sentence was not “death,” then that individual should not find themselves unnaturally dying in prison.
If you or a loved one was injured in jail—or if your loved one died while in jail or prison—there may be avenues for justice and financial recovery. Littlejohn Law practices all over the state of South Carolina and is committed to pursuing justice for wrongfully injured people, including incarcerated persons.
Jails' Duties to Inmates
Correctional facilities—just like any other business that houses or watches over people—owe residents a duty of care. Most injuries and deaths in jails are preventable.
The typical preventable injury we see is suicide. An inmate is supposed to be monitored almost 24/7 (including cell checks). However, somehow inmates are able to consider suicide, fashion an implement to commit suicide, and then commit suicide—normally without proper mental health care, medication, and supervision. This is almost impossible if the prison properly watches over inmates.
South Carolina Inmate Injuries
Most actionable injuries to inmates occur due to a systemic issue with the prison. The most common prison injuries we include the following:
Suicide
Injuries from Unsafe Conditions
Injuries Caused by Another Inmate
Improper Medical Care
Injuries Caused by Jail Employees
Starvation
Dehydration
Suing a SC Jail or Prison
The law prescribes certain causes of action against jails and prisons for inmates who are killed or injured. This includes.
Overcrowding of inmates;
Understaffing;
Inadequate security;
Failure to monitor inmates;
Failing to train, monitor, and supervise guards and other personnel;
Failing to implement policies and protocols for the safety and well-being of inmates;
Failing to provide proper medical treatment; and
Failing to abide by the South Carolina Constitution as it relates to individuals' rights.
Almost every single inmate death or injury is the result of one or more of the above torts. Through our discovery and FOIA processes, we uncover each angle available for every case.
Who is at Fault for SC Prisoner Deaths
Determining who to sue depends upon where the jail is located, which agency runs the jail, what individual played a role in the injuries or death, and other subjective factors that are entirely case-dependent.
For example, for a suicide at the Aiken County Detention Center, the defendants may be (a) Aiken County, (2) the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, and (3) the Aiken County Detention Center. In cases in Myrtle Beach, Orangeburg, Greenwood, or anywhere in between, other defendants may exist. We flesh this out as we determine the facts of each case.
ATTORNEY FOR SOUTH CAROLINA JAIL DEATH
At our firm, we take pride in the client relationships we build, from the first meeting, to the last, to the check-ups post-representation. This means that once we become attorney for a client, we are available to speak with the client whenever they need, and we constantly update the client on case developments and projections.
Throughout the case, we do everything we can to make each client feel comfortable and ensure they are aware of everything going on in the case. In death cases, this begins by helping the client properly probate an estate. Additionally, during the processes, we speak with family members to develop a narrative of who the deceased individual was and what they meant to their family. This allows us to capitalize on survival and wrongful death claims.
As we build the case, our relationships with clients grow. At the end of the case, it is our goal to (1) obtain justice for the family and (2) have a long-lasting, trusting relationship with the family.
EXPERIENCED SOUTH CAROLINA PRISON DEATH ATTORNEY
Most of the time, when a loved one is wrongfully injured, it is difficult to determine what your next steps are. Fortunately, our attorney Andrew Littlejohn Johnson has experience helping injured inmates or families of inmates who died in jail. To speak with Andrew costs nothing: the consultation is free and confidential.
After we speak and determine if a viable case exists, we may enter into an attorney-client relationship. At this point, we begin our journey to justice and financial recovery. Whatever happened to you or your loved one, give us a call today. We are here to help all South Carolinians.
